Equilibrator.



L. W, PERRY. EQUILIBRATOB} APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1911.

l wmaga, Patentied Aug 19, 1913.

3 SHEE'TB SEEB-T IVITNESSES- INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 19,1913.

3 BHEETS-SKBET 2.

C?) BY L. W. PERRY. EQUILIIBRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1911.

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WITNESSE S Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

s SHFETS-SHEET3 without interference with Lnon'w. PERRY, or nnnvnn,concerns.

neurmnnn ron.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented hug. is, rare;

Application filed March 1, i911. -Seria1No. 611,683.

To all wit-omit may concern:

Be it known that 1, Leon JV. PERRY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Denver, in the county "of Denver and State ofColorado, have invented certai'n new and useful Improvements inEquilibrators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to equilibrators for aeroplanes and its objectresides in the provision of an instrument which by automaticreadjustment of its stabilizing or elevating planes, will restore theaeroplane upon which it is installed to its proper position, after itsequilibrium has been disturbed.

The improved equilibrator may be associated with any one of theoperatinglevers at present in use to control the position of the variouswings or planes required to stabilize and steer the aeroplane and itsconnections are such that, if so desired, the levers may be manuallyoperated the operation of the parts comprised in the present invention.

The equilibrator comprises, in brief, a

metallic spherical weight loosely supported in an arcuate runway whichis mounted to oscillate about a horizontal axis coincident a the saidwith that of the lever which connects with the stabilizing or steeringplanes. The runway which is partly composed of;non-conductive materialhas at opposite sides of a division, normally located at the point ofintersection of a perpendicular passing through the axis of oscillationand the center of the weight, contact blades which constitute theterminals of a normally open electric circuit and which are disposed tobe electrically connected by the weight if by reason of a slantingposition assumed by the aero ilane when its 'e uilibrium is disturbed,the a bove mentioned ivision is moved out of erpendicular and from belowthe weight wich it normally supports. Elem tho-magnetic devices locatedin the circuit thus closed by the movement of the runway with theaeroplane, are designed to move the runway about its axis until it hasreassumed its normal position when the circuit is again broken and thismovement of'the runway is by means of the operating lever with which itis associated, converted into a corresponding movement of thestabilizing planes which by increasing or diminishing the windresistance atopposite sides of the main planes of the aeroplane, restoreits equilibrium. The operating lever above referred change the positionof the stabilizing or steering planes with relation thereto, and anelectric brake is provided to maintain the parts in their aeroplane isin equilibrium. If it is desired to automatically control thestabilizing wings at opposite sides of the main'plane, as well as theplane or planes ,by means of which the aeroplane is directed up ordownwardly, a separate equilibrator. is required for each set of planesand it will be understood that while in the drawings the device has beenshown in association with stabilizing planes or so called ailerons, itma be used with equal efi'ect in connectlon with the warping wing tipsor other devices which in certain air ships are provided to maintain thelateral stability thereof. Attention is further called to the fact thatmy invention is not only adapted to restore the aeroplane to its properposition after its equilibrium is accidentally disturbed but that italso serves to give to the ship the proper bank while rounding curvesand that it furthermore,-perinits of unequal distirbution of weight uponthe ship, by a. compensating adjustment of the stabilizing planes.

In the drawings, in the various views of which like parts are similarlydesignated, Figure 1, represents a front-view of an aero plane with myinvention installed in con sides of the center thereof, Fig. 2,:1 sideView of an aeroplane showing the inven tion in associationwith theforward elevating or tilting plane, Fig. 3, a sectional elevation of theinstrument drawn to an enlar'ged scale, Fig. 4, a section taken alongthedine 4-4 view of the electric circuit by which the oscillatory runwayis actuated, Fig. 6, a horizontal section taken along the line 6--6,Fig. 3, Fig. 7,-a similar section along the line 7-7 throufgh therunway.

Re erring to the drawings by numerals,

' is secured upgn the aeroplane in a normally horizontal position.Standards 3 erected upon the base 2 support a horizontal shaft a to isadjustable relative to the runway, to 1 Fig. 3, Fig. 5, adiagrammaticnormal position while the nection with ailerons applied atopposite Fig. 3, and, Fig. 8, a vertical section .upon which theoperating lever 5 and the El -ti).

runway 6 are independently movably mounted. The segmental runway 6,whose arc is concentric with the shaft 4, is suspended therefrom bymeans'of a sectorshaped web 7 which at its opposite side is providedwith a concentric series of teeth 8 which serve to lock the operatinglever in.

its adjusted position with relation to the runway. The lever 5 is, tothis end, made partly tubular and provided at its lower extremity, witha longitudinally slidable dog 9 which at its lower surface, has aplurality of teeth adapted to enter the interdental spaces of the series8, in' which position they are maintained by means of a coiled spring10. A bent lever 12 is fulcrumed at the upper end of the lever 5. and isconnected by means of a rod 13 with the dog 9 to disengage it from theteeth on .the runway when it is desired to vary the position of theoperating lever with relation thereto.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawingsthe numeral 3.4; designates theaeroplane on which the instrument is installed, 15 the stabilizingplanes articulately mounted at opposite sides thereof, and 16 theelevating plane which controls the up and downward movements of theship. The various stabilizing planes may be connected by means of anendless rope 17 t as in Fig. l) or a rod 18 (as in Fig. 2), eitherdirectly with the operating lever 5 or with an arm 19 secured upon theend of the shaft 4:. The last men-- tioned construction has theadvantage that, by means of a set-screw 20, the arm 19 may be adjustedto any desired position on the shaft for the purpose of changing orreversing the relative movements of. the planes with which. it isconnected.

The segmental runway 6 which extends along the arcual edge of the sector7 at one side thereof, is made of fiber or other nonconductive materialin the upper'surface of which are laid four contact lates, best shown inFigs. 5 and 6, one of which, 21, is continuous from one end of therunway to the other, while the other three, respec- ;tively designatedby the numerals 22, 23

and 24:, are arranged consecutively in parallel relation thereto. Thecentral 'one, 23, of the three consecutive plates is, normally disposedin the perpendicular which passes through the axis of the shaft 4 andthe centor of the spherical, metallic weight 25, which is looselysupported in the runway and which by its gravitative tendency is theprime factor in the operation of the invention. The oscillatory runwayis furthermore provided with a segmental wormcar 26 which extendingalong'its lower sur ace, is in mesh with a worm 27 which is mounted tomoveabout a horizontal axis. in bearings 28 upon the base 2. The shaft29 of the worm carries at one of its ends, a beveled friction wheel 30which is disposed to be engaged by either one of two friction cones 31which are slidably mounted upon a shaft 33 mounted transversely to theshaft 29 in bearings 34 on the base.

In the operation of the invention, the shaft 33 is continuously inmotion and is, to this end, connected with the aeroplane motor by meansof a flexible shaft shown in Fig. 7, or it may be connected with aseparate propeller which is rotated by the air-current while the ship isin motion.

The two cones 31 are connected with the ends of two shift-levers 32which are fulcrumed upon pedestals 36 on the base and whose oppositeextremities carry the {armatures of two axially alined eleetromagneticcoils 37. A coiled spring 38 which con nects the last mentionedextremities of the levers 32, is provided to return them, to theirnormal positions, in which the cones are disengaged from thefriction-wheel 30, after the magnets are denergized.

A friction-disk 39 mounted upon the end of the worm shaft opposite tothat which carries the beveled wheel 30, is provided to rigidly maintainthe parts in their normal position, by engagement withshoes 40,respectively secured at the ends of two brakelevers 41 which arefulcrumed upon pedestals 4-2 on the base and whichcarry at theiropposite ends, the armatures of two axially alined eleetro-magneticcoils 43. A coiled spring 44 connecting the ends of the levers 41,serves to se arate the shoes 40 from the peripheral e go of the disk 39,when the magnets 43 are deenergized.

The runway proper upon which the weight 25 is supported, is inclosed bya casing 45 which not only excludes dust and dirt but which alsoprevents sparks resulting from the breaking and making of the electriccircuit when the separated contacts are consecutively brought inengagement with the weight, from igniting inflammable matter such as thegaseous fluid by which the aeroplane motor is operated.

Referring to the diagrammatic representation in Fig. 5 of the drawings,the con.- tinuous contact-strip 21 is connected with a suitable sourceof electricity 46, whose opposite pole is in electric connection withthe various magnetic coils 37 and 43. The electro-magnets 43 whichcontrol the movethents of the brake-levers 41'are connected in serieswith the central contact plate 23 while the magnets 37 which control themovements of the friction-cones 31, are respectively connected with thecontact strips 22 at opposite sides of the plate 23. When the parts arein their normal position, is shown in the drawings, the spherical weight25 is supported upon the central plate 213 and the continuouscontact-strip 21' thus closing the circuit of the electru-iniigncts 1 3which mo /meat by attraction of their armatures maintain the shoes 40 infrictional engagement with the peripheral: edge of the disk 39.

The normal position of the stabilizing or tilting planes of theaeroplane, is established by the position of the lever 5 relative to therunway; for example, when the aeroplane under ordinary conditions, movesin ahorizontal direction, the planes will all extend horizontally andthe lever is perpendicular as shown in Fig. 3; should the ship carry anexcess of weight at one side of its center of gravity, the stabilizingplanes, are, by adjustment of the lever, slanted to compensate for theunequal distribution of the weight, and thus maintain the ship on aneven keel, or in case the instrument is connected with the elevatingplane, the latter is slanted by means of the lever 5 in accordance withthe desired angle of inclination during the up or downward movement ofthe aeroplane. In anycase, irrespective of the position of the lever 5,the runway will normally'occupy a position in which the central contactplate 23 intersects the perpendicular passing through the axis ofoscillation and the center otthe weight, and when by deflection of v theaeroplane it is temporarily displaced, it

will, by the action of the magnets as will hereinafter be explained, beat once returned to its normal position and thus cause a readjustment ofthe planes connected with the lever 5. VVheu by disturbance of itsequilibrium, the aeroplane tilts in a plane substantially parallel tothat in which the runway of the equilibrator, is movable, the contactplate 23 of the latter is moved outof the perpendicular passing throughits axisof oscillation and the center of the, weight 25 and the latter,which by its gravitative tendency remains in its normal position, is inconsequence brought in contact with the stlipat the lower side of theplate 23 while it remains in engagement with the continuous strip 21.The result is that the magnets are deenergized which releases thefriction disk 39, and that the magnet 37 corre' spondingwlth the contactstrip engaged by the weight will be energized by the closing of itscircuit and thusby attraction of its armature atrthe end of thecorresponding lever 32, bring therespective' cone 31 on the continuouslyrotating shaft 33 in frictional engagement with the'wheel 30 whichthrough the instrumentality of the worm, 1 noves the runway about itsaxis of rotation until it has been restored to its original-positionrelative to the perpendicular passing through the said axis when theball 25 by engagement with the contact plate 23, arrests furthermovement by energization of-thc brakemagnets, while the n'1agnet-37whose circuit had previously been closed, is simultaneously deenergized.Should the operator of the aeroplane desire to change its course byadship abouta radial point, will cause theball 25, impelled bycentrifugal force, tomove in the runway-t0 a oint where the forces ofgravity and centrifugal action coincide, and the runway which by thecontact of the ball with the respective-strip 22 and the conse uent eneization of the corrcsondin C! -magnet 37, is, so 'to speak, compelled tofollow the ball, will move the planes connected with the lever 5, tomaintain the aerolane at the proper angle of inclination durmg itscircular movement. It will thus be observed that irrespective of thecause, any disturbance of the equilibrium'of the aeroplane, will beinstantly corrected by the action of the oscillatory runway which whenmoved from its normal position with respect to the perpendicular passingthrough its axis, will immediately be impelled in the direction oppositeto that'in which itwas disvjustment of the rudder, the movement of the Iplaced until it has reassumed its normal position, and this returnmovement is converted into a movement of the adjusting planes connectedwith the runway, to restore the aeroplane to the position in which it isin equilibrium.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An instrument ofthe class described comprising an oscillatory runway havingelectriccontacts at opposite sides of a contact normally in theperpendicular passing through the axis of oscillation, a conductiveweight loosely supported on the said runway, electric means in a circuitwith the said mediate contact for locking the runway in its normalposition, and suitable mechanism in anelectric circuit with the'contactsat opposite sides of the said mediate contact, and adapted to restorethe runway to its normal position relative to the said perpendicularafter said contacts at one side or the other, have been electricallyconnected by the weight during displacement of the runway in the planeof its oscillatory movement.

2. An instrument of the class described comprising an oscillatory runwayhaving a continuous contact strip and three consecutive contacts in aline substantially parallel thereto, the mediate one of the saidcontacts being normally in the perpendicular passing through the axis ofoscillation, a conductive weight loosely supported in said runway andadapted to simultaneously engage the said continuous contact and one ofthe others, an electromagnetic device in a circuit with the said mediatecontact for locking said runway in its normal position, andelectro-magnetic devices, in a circuit with the contacts at oppositesides of the said connected by the weight during displacement of therunway in the plane of its oscillatory ITIOVQUIQIlt.

3. An instrument of the class described comprising an oscillatory runwayhaving a continuous contact strip and two contacts in a linesul'istantially parallel thereto and separated by a space normally inthe perpendicular passing through the axis of oscillation, a conductiveweight loosely supported on said runway and adapted to simultaneouslyengage said continuous contact and one of the others, andelectro-magnetic devices in a circuit. with said continuous contact andsaid separated contacts and adapted to restore said runway to its normalposition relative to the said perpendicular, after one or the other ofthe said contacts is engaged by the weight during displacement of therunway in the plane of its oscillatory movement.

4. An instrument of the class described comprising an oscillatory runwayhaving contacts at opposite sides of a contact normally in theperpendicular passing through the axis of oscillation, a conductiveweight loosely supported on said runway, a rotating shaft, drivingtransmission members slidable thereon, a driven member pera tivclyassociated with said runway, means for locking said driven memberagainst r0- tatioii, an electro-magnet the armature of which isconnected with said locking means, and electro-magnetswhose armaturesare connected with the respective rli'i\'ing inem hers i move them inengagement with the said driven member, the first mentionedelectro-magnct being in an electric circuit with the mediate contact onthe runway,-and the two other magnets respectively in a circuitwith thecontacts at opposite sides of the same.

5. An instrument of the class described comprising an oscillatory runwayhaving contacts separated by a space normally in the perpemlicnlarpassing through the axis of oscillation. and a segmental worm-gear, aconductive weight loosely supported on said runway, a rotating shal't,driving transmission meinbcrs slidablc thereon, a rotary worm inengagement, with said gear, a driven membe conne ted with said worm,

and cli-ctro-inagnets who e arniatures arei connected with therespective driving iiicml hers to move them into engagement with thesaid driven member, said magnets being respectively in an electriccircuit with said contacts.

ti. An ii'istrunu-nt. ot the class dcsi'crihed comprising an os illatoryrunway having a segmental worm-g ar and contacts at opposite sidcs ot' aontact normally in the perpendicular pas ing through the axis ofoscillation, a conductive weight loosely supported on said runway, arotating shaft, driving transmission members slidahle thereon, a rotaryworm connected with said gear, a driven member and a triction-dislconnected with said worm, a slice adapted to engage said disk, anelectroanagn'ct the armature of which is operatively connected with thesaid shoe, and clectro-magnets whose armatiires are connected with therespective driving members to move them in engagemei'it with the saiddriven men'iber, the first mentioned eleetro-magnet being in an electriccircuit with the mediate contact on the runway, and the two othermagnets IOsLPUtJtlVClY in a circuit with the contacts at opposite sidesof the same.

T. In conil'iii'iation with an aeroplane and a steering or stabilizingdevice thereon, a runway movable about a fixed point on said aeroplaneand having electric contacts at op positc sides of a dividing space,normally in the perpendicular passing through the said point, .a leverindependently movable about the same point, adjustahly connected withthe runway and connected with the said device, a conductive weightloosely supported on said runway, and suitable mechanism in an electriccircuit with said contacts, and adapted to restore the runway to itsnormal position relative to the said perpendicular, after the contactsat. one side or the other of the dividing space have: been electricallyconnected by the weight during displacement of the runway in the planeof its oscillatory movement.

8. In combination with an aeroplane and a steering or stabilizing devicethereon, a runway movable about a fixed point on said aeroplane andhaving electric contacts at opposite sides of a dividing; space,normally in the per 'iendicular passing through the said point, and aconcentric series of teeth, a lever movable about the same point, inconnection with the said device, a dog movable on said lever, andnormally engaging said teeth, a conductive weight loosely supported onsaid runway, and suitable mechanism in an elccli'ic circuit with saidcontacts, and adapted to restore the runway to its normal positionrelative to the said perpendicular, al'tcr the contacts atone side orthe other of the dividing space have been electrically connected hr theweightduring displacemei'it of the runway in the plane of itsoscillatory movement. I

in tcstii'nony whereof lhave allixediny signature in presence of twowitnesses.

LEON W. ll l REY,

Wit ncsscs:

L. ltiimm-ts, t l. RULLANYHJT.

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